Runquist Files Claim For Expensive Bicycle Lost by Local Police

James E. Runquist '55 charged the Cambridge police with negligence early this week in the loss of an expensive bicycle. At the same time, Runquist filed a claim against the City of Cambridge for $87.20, the price of the bicycle.

Police lost the vehicle after recovering it following an earlier theft. The bicycle originally disappeared from the Adams House courtyard on May 3, Runquist said.

He later learned that John Hall, Matthew janitor, had turned the bicycle over to the police after finding it abandoned in front of his home. Although the police had not reported the recovery to Runquist, they produced records showing that they had picked up the bike from Hall.

The bicycle, however, had disappeared from police headquarters. A stolen watch recovered by the police had been lost under similar circumstances earlier, and the City honored a $100 claim filed against it at that time. Runquist expects no immediate decision on his claim.